In the opening main address of his tour to the United States, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s ongoing violent action against Gaza, a direct response to the October 7th attack by Hamas. This statement, made in front of a crowd in Massachusetts, emphasized the immense loss of young lives in the region, marking it as an enduring global regret if it were to be ignored.
He made these remarks at Boston’s John F Kennedy Library gathering, shedding a light onto a grim reality of the Gaza conflict – the death and injury of numerous children. The very essence of childhood, which should ideally resonate with bliss, is lost to fear and violence in Gaza, pronounced Mr. Varadkar.
Mr. Varadkar additionally sternly denounced the October 7th assault by Hamas as an atrocious act of terror. The repercussion of such acts has led to the unjust treatment of innocent civilians, including men, women, and children, he stated. He insisted that they must not be collectively atoned for the actions of a few.
He expressed his angst that if we choose to ignore the cries of the innocents, it will leave an eternal scar on humanity. This oversight could potentially spark a chain of aggression, violence, and vengeance. He declared that children must never bear the brunt of terrorism, as they never consent to such actions.
Continuing on this discourse, the Taoiseach condemned the deaths of children not only due to constant bombardments and devastation, but also due to acute lack of food, water and medical assistance. He stressed on viewing each child as equal, regardless of whether they belong to Israel or Palestine, for the world to heed to the call for adhering to civilised norms and regulations.
A failure to do so, in his words, would result in an unstable and insecure global environment, leading to an overall loss. Varadkar’s impassioned speech followed the strong message from President Michael D Higgins concerning the hindered aid flow to Gaza.
Mr Varadkar has declared Ireland’s stance that they will persistently advocate for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional liberation of all captives, and a considerable, consistent surge in humanitarian assistance for the Gaza population. He underscored that a ceasefire represents hope, not surrender or weakness or forgiveness. It is a pause in the continuous pattern of violence and retribution, allowing room for our common humanity to take precedence over revenge.
Recalling the influential leadership of the late American president Kennedy and his brother Bobby Kennedy, Mr Varadkar revealed that he had publicly criticised Russia’s unprovoked imperial invasion of Ukraine.
Meeting US President Joe Biden later this week, he would express gratitude toward him for the robust stance the US has taken against Russia’s war of aggression. He spoke strongly against ignoring the conflict and appeasing a dictator, referring to the potential risks based on Europe’s history in the 1930s, and warning that if Ukraine falls, it could cast a shadow of darkness on us all.
Mr Varadkar expressed how hearing of “Ukraine fatigue” made him think of the Ukrainian citizens who persistently make remarkable sacrifices to safeguard their territorial sovereignty. He insisted that their enormous sacrifices and extraordinary courage could not be dismissed simply because others felt ‘fatigued.’
Touching upon Ireland, he celebrated the Kennedy family’s long-standing contributions to peace and reconciliation in Ireland. Reflecting on President Kennedy’s joking remark during his visit to Galway in 1963 about seeing Boston from Galway Bay, Mr Varadkar asserted that Boston doesn’t need to strain to see Ireland today.